One Million Youth Voices

Good morming from the meeting of the YMCA National Leaders meeting in YMCA Dunford House - England.

Wednesday was day two of full day meetings discussing our 'Presence' at this time. There were four main topics of the day. We are embarking on a research project to survey one million young people across the globe. We will target 15 - 24 years olds on issues such as Health, Civic Engagement, employment and environment.A mamouth task but along with us the United Nations and the International Labour Orgamnisation were keen to support us and hear our findings.

The second item was what we call the Prague Festival. This is a music and arts festival engaging some 10,000 young people from the YMCA across the world for a week in August 2013, some excitong plans.

The next item we discussed was the four yearly World Council of the YMCA. The Council meeting is the main Governing boday of the World YMCA which will be held in Estes Park in the the Rockies - Colorado. We are expecting 1500 volunteer and professional leaders to gather in July 2014.

And finally we considered how we can manage to demonstrate to smaller YMCA Movements, how they can feel fully heard, valued and engaged in the wider Global movement.

The day finished with a demonstration of English Wines. A great end to the day.

It is now the beginning of day three, the sun is up, it has been raining overnight and the air is fresh. I can hear the birds singing, I feel they are singing for me! Looking forward to another greta day.